Policy Name: NICC UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Operations Policy

Policy Statement

The NICC Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Operations Policy provides information about the utilization 

of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS’s). Such operational activities will be limited to those that advance 

the College’s mission and will be in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and Board of 

Trustee policy.

Definitions

Unmanned Aircraft system (UAS), commonly known as a drone, and also referred to as a remotely 

piloted aircraft (RPA) by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is an aircraft 

without a human pilot aboard. This policy shall refer to these devices as UAS,s.

Visual line of sight (VLOS), be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective 

lenses to keep track of the location of the UAS

Pilot in Command (PIC), the individual in control of the aircraft while in flight

Visual observer (VO), an individual other than the PIC that will kee VLOS of the UAS at during flight 

times

Reason for Policy

This Policy will support a process that helps ensure that when the College users of this equipment will 

comply with Federal and State regulations applying to such aircraft. Additionally, the policy will be used 

to regulate the use of UAS,s. This policy provides management with visibility into the use of these highly 

regulated devices, and aids in the College’s ability to regulate use for the safety of the public. UAS,s are 

becoming a commonly used tool in various industries and agriculture. The college encourages the 

educational use of UAS’s to help develop students for their career. However, UAS’s also present public 

safety and privacy concerns. In addition to these guidelines all NICC drone operators shall comply with 

all applicable state and federal rules governing the use of these aircraft. Non-NICC employees shall 

comply with all applicable state and federal rules and this policy when operating UAS’s on NICC

property. It is expected that personnel operating drones or UAS’s will have a working knowledge of, and 

comply with, these guidelines as well as State and Federal rules and regulations.

The Policy

NICC Community College UAS Guidelines:

These guidelines cover any and all UAS’s purchased by NICC Community College staff and faculty. 

OPERATION

• At least 36 hours prior to operations, the operator must submit a written Plan of Activities to the 

respective Dean’s Office.

• The Plan of Activities must include at least the following:

a. Dates and times for all flights. For seasonal or long-term operations, this can include the 
beginning and end dates of the timeframe, the approximate frequency (e.g. daily, every 

weekend, etc.), and what times of the day operations will occur. A new plan of activities must be 

submitted prior to each season or period of operations.

b. Name and phone number of the on-site person responsible for the operation.

c. Make, model, and serial or N-Number of each UAS to be used.

d. If operated over land not owned by NICC, a signed and dated form giving permission to 

operate at the location.

e. All forms of data (including imagery) to be collected,

• The UAS must be operated at an altitude of no more than 400 feet above ground level (AGL).

• The UAS will not be operated within 5 miles of any airport.

• The UA must be operated within visual line of sight (VLOS) of the PIC at all times. This requires the PIC 

to be able to use human vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, as specified 

on the PIC’s FAA-issued airman medical certificate or valid U.S. driver’s license

• All operations must utilize a visual observer (VO). The UA must be operated within the visual line of 

sight (VLOS) of the PIC and VO at all times. The VO may be used to satisfy the VLOS requirement 

as long as the PIC always maintains VLOS capability. The VO and PIC must be able to 

communicate verbally at all times. Electronic messaging or texting is not permitted during flight 

operations. The PIC must be designated before the flight and cannot transfer his or her 

designation for the duration of the flight. The PIC must ensure that the VO can perform the 

duties required of the VO.

• Any UAS that has undergone maintenance or alterations that affect the UAS operation or flight 

characteristics, e.g. replacement of a flight critical component, must undergo a functional test 

flight prior to conducting further operations under this exemption. Functional test flights may 

only be conducted by a PIC with a VO and essential flight personnel only and must remain at 

least 500 feet from all other people. The functional test flight must be conducted in such a 

manner so as to not pose an undue hazard to persons and property.

• The operator is responsible for maintaining and inspecting the UAS to ensure that it is in a condition 

for safe operation.

• Prior to each flight, the PIC must conduct a pre-flight inspection and determine the UAS is in a 

condition for safe flight. The pre-flight inspection must account for all potential discrepancies, 

e.g. inoperable components, items, or equipment. If the inspection reveals a condition that 

affects the safe operation of the UAS, the aircraft is prohibited from operating until the 

necessary maintenance has been performed and the UAS is found to be in a condition for safe 

flight.

• The operator must follow the UAS manufacturer’s maintenance, overhaul, replacement, inspection, 

and life limit requirements for the aircraft and aircraft components. Each UAS operated under 

this exemption must comply with all manufacturer safety bulletins.

• PIC qualifications: The PIC must demonstrate the ability to safely operate the UAS in a manner 

consistent with how it will be operated under this exemption, including evasive and emergency 

maneuvers and maintaining appropriate distances from persons, vessels, vehicles and structures 

before operating non-training, proficiency, or experience-building flights under this exemption.

• Training: The operator may conduct training operations when the trainer/instructor is qualified as a

PIC and designated as PIC for the entire duration of the flight operation. The trainer must meet 

all FAA guidelines and requirements of a trainer. Students/trainees are considered essential for 

the operation and are not required to hold any certificate or meet any of the operating 

requirements (including maintaining VLOS of the aircraft) in this exemption. The 
student/trainees may be the manipulators of the controls; however, the PIC must have 

sufficient override capability to safely abort the operation if necessary including taking any 

action necessary to ensure safety of other aircraft as well as persons and property on the 

ground in the event of unsafe maneuvers and/or emergencies for example landing in an empty 

area away from people and property.

Under all training situations, the PIC is responsible for the safety of the operation. The PIC is also 

responsible for meeting all applicable conditions and limitations as prescribed in the operating 

documents. All training operations must be conducted during dedicated training sessions and 

may or may not be for compensation or hire. The operation must be conducted with a VO. The 

VO must maintain visual sight of the aircraft at all times during flight operations without 

distraction. Furthermore, the PIC must operate the UA not closer than 500 feet to any 

nonparticipating person.

• UAS operations may not be conducted during night, as defined in 14 CFR § 1.1. All operations must be 

conducted under visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under special visual flight rules 

(SVFR) are not authorized

• The UA may not be operated less than 500 feet below or less than 2,000 feet horizontally from a 

cloud or when visibility is less than 3 statute miles from the PIC.

• For UAS operations where GPS signal is necessary to safely operate the UA, the PIC must immediately 

recover/land the UA upon loss of GPS signal.

• If the PIC loses command or control link with the UA, the UA must follow a pre-determined route to 

either reestablish link or immediately recover or land.

• The PIC must abort the flight operation if unpredicted circumstances or emergencies that could 

potentially degrade the safety of persons or property arise. The PIC must terminate flight 

operations without causing undue hazard to persons or property in the air or on the ground.

• The PIC is prohibited from beginning a flight unless (considering wind and forecast weather 

conditions) there is enough available power for the UA to conduct the intended operation and 

to operate after that for at least five minutes or with the reserve power recommended by the 

manufacturer if greater.

• All aircraft operated in accordance with this exemption must be identified by serial number, 

registered in accordance with 14 CFR part 47, and have identification (N-Number) markings in 

accordance with 14 CFR part 45, Subpart C. Markings must be as large as practicable.

• Documents used by the operator to ensure the safe operation and flight of the UAS and any 

documents required under 14 CFR §§ 91.9 and 91.203 must be available to the PIC at the 

Ground Control Station of the UAS any time the aircraft is operating. These documents must be 

made available to the Administrator or any law enforcement official upon request.

• The UA must remain clear and give way to all manned aircraft at all times.

• The UAS may not be operated by the PIC from any moving device or vehicle.

• All flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all persons, vessels, vehicles, and 

structures unless when operating:

a. Over or near essential flight personnel. Essential flight personnel include the PIC, VO, and 

other consenting personnel that the PIC has determined are essential to the safe operation of 

the UA.

b. Over or near people essential for the intended purpose of the operation. People essential for 

the intended purpose of the operation must be briefed on the potential risks and acknowledge 

and consent to those risks. 

c. Near nonparticipating persons: A UA may only be operated closer than 500 feet from 
nonparticipating persons when barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect 

nonparticipating persons from the UA and/or debris in the event of an accident. Under these 

conditions, the operator must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such 

protection for the duration of the operation. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons 

leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the UA, flight operations must cease 

immediately in a manner that does not cause undue hazard to persons.

d. Near vessels, vehicles and structures. Prior to conducting operations the operator must 

obtain permission from a person with the legal authority over any vessels, vehicles or structures 

that will be within 500 feet of the UA during operations. The PIC must make a safety assessment 

of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an 

undue hazard.

• The operation of any UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) over lands not owned and operated by NICC 

will not occur unless prior to flight the UAS Flight Permission Form has been signed by the 

appropriate individuals. Such flights shall fall under state and federal regulations for UAS usage

Northeast Iowa Community College holds the right to immediately shut down the operation of an UAS if 

it creates any type of electronic interference, poses a hazard to sensitive campus equipment, or 

interferes with any NICC activity.

Responsibility

Operators of UASs are responsible for knowing and adhering to the rules set forth in this policy, 

complying with various published FAA procedures of the process, and ensuring the compliance with all 

laws and federal regulations.